Non-stationary corona around multi-point system in atmospheric electric field: II. Altitude and time variation of electric field

Abstract

The vertical electric field profile during thunderstorms was studied numerically and analytically above the plane ground surface with irregularities that generated ions when the surface electric field was sufficient for ion emission. The computer model of a plane emitting ions into the atmosphere simulated a limiting case of a non-stationary glow corona occurring near the tips of a multi-point ground system in a time-varying thundercloud electric field. The evolution of electric field profiles for various rates of change of thundercloud electric field was analyzed and the peculiarities of electric field measurements during thunderstorms were considered. A computer model was developed to estimate the temporal evolution of electric field above a multi-point coronating system. Conditions under which the electric field evolution above a multi-electrode system is similar to that above a plane emitting surface were determined. The evolution of the surface electric field below coronating points in a multi-electrode system was calculated. Conditions when the surface electric field tends to the thundercloud electric field necessary for corona onset in a multi-point system were obtained.